NEW TWIST: White Envelope Marked “12:48 PM” Left on Rute Cardoso’s Porch Contains GPS Screenshot Showing Diogo Jota’s 9-Minute Stop at a Tunnel with No Signal
In a startling development in the ongoing mystery surrounding the death of Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota, a white envelope marked “12:48 PM” was anonymously left on the porch of his widow, Rute Cardoso, in Porto, Portugal. Inside, Rute found a GPS screenshot indicating that Jota’s car stopped for exactly nine minutes at a tunnel with no signal on July 3, 2025, shortly before the fatal crash that killed Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25. This revelation, reported on July 27, 2025, adds to a series of perplexing clues—including a torn letter, a USB drive, CCTV footage, a voicemail, a childhood pendant, two wedding rings, a drone video, and a locked laptop file—that have intensified scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy on Spain’s A-52 motorway.
The White Envelope and GPS Screenshot
According to sources close to Rute Cardoso, the white envelope was discovered on her porch in Gondomar, Porto, on the morning of July 26, 2025, with no indication of who left it. The envelope, marked “12:48 PM” in black ink, contained a single printed screenshot from a GPS tracking system, showing the location of Jota’s green Lamborghini Huracan at a tunnel along the A-52 motorway, approximately 30 kilometers from the crash site near Cernadilla, Zamora. The screenshot indicates the car was stationary from 12:04 a.m. to 12:13 a.m. on July 3, 2025, in an area with no cellular or GPS signal, suggesting a deliberate stop or an unexpected delay.
The timestamp aligns closely with other evidence: the locked “D17” file on Jota’s laptop, last edited at 12:13 a.m., and a USB drive’s audio file timestamped at 12:23 a.m., just seven minutes before the crash at 12:30 a.m. The tunnel’s lack of signal could explain why no distress calls or messages were sent during this period, and it raises questions about what occurred during those nine minutes. Rute reportedly handed the envelope to Portuguese authorities, who are coordinating with the Spanish Guardia Civil to verify the screenshot’s authenticity and investigate its source.
Context of the Crash and Prior Discoveries
The crash occurred at 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, when Jota’s Lamborghini veered off the A-52, flipped, and burst into flames after a suspected tire blowout. Jota and André, a Penafiel footballer, were traveling from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England, as Jota’s recent lung procedure prevented flying. Spanish police initially cited speeding, but lorry drivers José Aleixo Duarte and Jose Azevedo described the car’s speed as “moderate” and noted poor road conditions.
Previous findings have fueled speculation about Jota’s final hours:
Torn Letter (July 20): Rute found a letter in Jota’s jacket, dated June 30, 2025, stating, “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
USB Drive (July 26): One of Jota’s sons found a USB labeled “RJ-171” with an “Insurance – Audio Proof” file timestamped at 12:23 a.m.
CCTV Footage (July 27): Leaked video from a gas station 27 kilometers from the crash showed Jota with an unidentified second individual.
Voicemail (July 27): A recovered voicemail from Jota to Rute ended after “Don’t let them kn—”.
Pendant (July 27): A childhood locket in Jota’s hand held a photo of an unknown girl, not Rute.
Wedding Rings (July 27): Two rings were found sewn into Jota’s shirt, despite Rute’s claim of only one pair.
Drone Footage (July 27): A 17-second clip showed Jota looking up and mouthing words seconds before the crash.
Locked File “D17” (July 27): A file on Jota’s laptop, edited at 12:13 a.m., resists unlocking by Apple specialists.
The GPS screenshot, indicating a stop at 12:04–12:13 a.m., coincides with the “D17” file’s last edit, suggesting Jota may have been engaged in a significant activity during this time, possibly with the second individual from the CCTV footage.
Theories About the Envelope and GPS Stop
The anonymous envelope and its contents have sparked numerous theories:
Connection to “D17” and “RJ-171”? The 12:13 a.m. timestamp of the “D17” file matches the end of the tunnel stop, suggesting Jota may have been editing or creating it during this period. The “RJ-171” USB label might also relate to the tunnel’s location or an individual involved, possibly the person in the CCTV footage.
Meeting or Exchange? The nine-minute stop in a no-signal tunnel could indicate a planned meeting or exchange, potentially with the unidentified individual. The voicemail’s “Don’t let them kn—” and the “Insurance – Audio Proof” file might reflect concerns about this encounter.
Mechanical Issue or Inspection? The stop could be related to a car issue, such as checking the tires before the blowout. The lorry drivers’ mention of poor road conditions might suggest Jota stopped to assess damage or debris, though the tunnel’s isolation raises questions.
The Anonymous Sender’s Motive? The envelope’s delivery by a stranger suggests someone with knowledge of Jota’s movements wants to guide Rute or investigators to new evidence. The “12:48 PM” marking could be a clue to the sender’s identity or a time significant to the crash’s aftermath.
Link to Other Clues? The pendant’s photo, the second wedding ring, and Jota’s mouthed words in the drone footage might tie to the tunnel stop. The “D17” file could contain audio or notes from this period, potentially explaining Jota’s actions or concerns.
Investigation Updates
The Spanish Guardia Civil and Portuguese authorities are treating the envelope as a critical lead, with efforts underway to trace its origin and authenticate the GPS screenshot. The tunnel, identified as part of the A-52’s infrastructure, is being examined for surveillance cameras or physical evidence, though its lack of signal complicates tracking. The “D17” file’s encryption and the USB’s audio remain inaccessible, but investigators are cross-referencing the 12:04–12:13 a.m. stop with the CCTV footage’s second individual and the drone clip’s final moments.
The lorry drivers’ accounts and the drone footage, showing steady driving, challenge the speeding narrative, and the tunnel stop suggests additional factors, such as a mechanical check or an interaction, may have preceded the crash. Spanish road safety expert Javier Lopez Delgado is reportedly reviewing the GPS data to assess road conditions or external influences at the tunnel.
Rute Cardoso’s Response and Ongoing Grief
Rute Cardoso, raising her three children—Dinis, Duarte, and eight-month-old Mafalda—is reportedly overwhelmed by the envelope’s discovery. The anonymous delivery, following the pendant’s unknown girl, the second ring, and the locked “D17” file, has deepened her distress, as each clue questions Jota’s final actions. Sources say Rute, who visited Anfield to see tributes after Jota’s death, is working with authorities and cybersecurity experts to unlock the laptop file, hoping it clarifies the tunnel stop. Her silence since the ring discovery reflects her focus on protecting her children amid public scrutiny.
Liverpool FC, where Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, has retired his No. 20 shirt and continues to support Rute. The July 5 funeral in Gondomar, attended by teammates like Virgil van Dijk and Portugal’s Roberto Martínez, underscored Jota’s legacy.
Public Reaction and Speculation
The white envelope has sparked intense discussion on platforms like X, with fans theorizing about the tunnel stop’s purpose—ranging from a secret meeting to a car issue. Misinformation, such as debunked crash videos, persists, but the envelope’s verified discovery has focused attention on credible evidence. Some posts link “12:48 PM” to a post-crash event or the sender’s identity, while others connect “D17” and “RJ-171” to the tunnel’s coordinates or the unidentified individual. The football community urges respect for Rute’s privacy, with tributes continuing at Anfield.
Key questions include:
What happened during the tunnel stop? The nine-minute pause could involve a meeting, a car check, or activity related to the “D17” file.
Who left the envelope? The anonymous sender’s knowledge of the GPS data suggests access to Jota’s movements or tracking technology.
Does “12:48 PM” have significance? The marking may indicate when the envelope was prepared, delivered, or tied to another event.
How does it connect to other evidence? The stop aligns with the “D17” file, USB audio, CCTV individual, voicemail, and drone footage, potentially forming a cohesive narrative.
A Legacy Entwined with Mystery
Diogo Jota’s life, marked by triumphs like the 2025 UEFA Nations League and Liverpool’s Premier League title, ended tragically 11 days after his wedding to Rute. The white envelope, revealing a nine-minute stop in a no-signal tunnel, joins a cascade of clues—letter, USB, CCTV, voicemail, pendant, rings, drone footage, and locked file—that suggest Jota was navigating a complex situation. As Rute and investigators probe the “D17” file and the GPS screenshot’s origins, Jota’s legacy as a footballer and family man endures, forever tied to the haunting refrain, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
